Monday, December 23, 2013

I have a healthy relationship with food and I most of the times
I eat healthy. Healthy eating led me to the 91-pound weight loss and it continues
to help with maintaining my current weight.

Avoiding sugar is an important part of my eating strategy. Apples,
blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are the only foods I eat that contain
sugar. Well, most of the time. I consequently
avoid sugar except during holidays and special occasions.

I have to admit that I, experienced and successful dieter, struggle
with chocolate. I therefore don't buy it or keep any in the house anymore.
Except holidays.

Chocolate does something to my brain and just makes me want
more and more. I have no control once I start. I can't just eat a piece of a chocolate
bar and be done.

Despite what reason and intelligence tells me to do, I am unable
to stop. When I start keep stuffing myself with chocolate to the point of
discomfort.

Monday, December 16, 2013

The biggest challenge people face when they are looking to improve
their lives is getting started. Reading about self-improvement, or learning
about the tools required to live a better life means nothing if you don’t
utilize those tools.

One of the greatest causes for failure when it comes to
personal development is simply a failure to act.

Listed here are a few reasons to act, they are posted to
help you realize that the time is NOW; not tomorrow, not next week, and not
after you have accomplished something else! So take a moment to read them and
then move forward on your journey!

There is no change without action.

Sure, reading about personal development or positive living
can make you feel good at the time, but without action the knowledge itself is
somewhat useless. Your situation will stay the same unless you make the move to
change it!

There is no one that can do it for you.

The harsh reality of life is that unless you make the choice
to change you never will. No one, and nothing, can do it for you. If you want a
better life it is you that has to create it. Period.

Lessons are best learned through actions.

When you make mistakes you learn lessons. Through actions
you will learn what works and what doesn’t. There is no better way to learn
that by doing, it can teach you things you wouldn’t learn any other way.

It makes you feel good.

Our self-esteem can have a huge impact on whether we take
action towards our goals, but the best way to combat this issue is through
action. It is somewhat of a double-edged sword in the sense that when you don’t
act you feel bad, but you feel too bad to take action. Still, it is more likely
that you will regret not doing something to change the situation. Taking action
towards your goals makes you feel good. It raises your self-esteem, and it
encourages you to move forward. It will make you happier overall and increase
your confidence in a way that nothing else can measure up to.

Every small step counts.

Every small step you take brings you closer to your ultimate
goal. If you make an effort to complete one action each day, even a tiny one,
you are that much closer to accomplishing your bigger goal. Reward yourself for
each small success as a way to encourage forward momentum. Keep track of each
little accomplishment so you can see how they tie into the bigger picture.

If not now, when?

This is a common question asked by motivational speakers, and
when it comes to personal development it is the question; one that you should
be asking yourself every single day. If we wait for the ‘perfect’ time, a
better time, later, we will be waiting forever. The truth is; if you keep
waiting you are going to run out of time. Take a close look at what it is you
are waiting for and find a way around it. Act now, or risk missing your chance.

It is about the journey.

Just as discussed above, every small step counts, that is
because the process of personal development is more about the journey than it
is the result. The ‘end’ of your journey to a happier more fulfilling life is
something that cannot be expressed. In fact, an ‘end’ doesn’t really exist
because living a happier life is a long-term commitment that requires regular
maintenance and consistent actions on your part. Your ultimate goal will change
as you do, and that is why you should be focused on the journey itself rather
than the finish line.

One action leads to another.

Each action you choose will lead to another action that will
lead to another. You may look back a year from now and find that you are
nowhere near where you originally planned to be, but your actions will take you
in the direction you need to go by presenting you with opportunities and
choices. These choices will lead to others and your journey will be adjusted to
suit your growing needs. It may sound lame, but it is the truth, the hardest
part of any journey is getting started, but once you begin, I guarantee doors
will open for you.

Until Next Time…

Take Action!

Katherine D

+++

Katherine D writes a
blog Inspired Every Moment that provides practical tips and useful advice for
living a happier, more fulfilled life every day.http://inspiredeverymoment.com/

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Thanksgiving can be a stressful holiday. With so much
delicious food tempting you, it's impossible to keep your healthy habits in
check. Thanksgiving is one of those holidays when people plan to eat until they
are stuffed to the brim. What is worse, Thanksgiving often sets off a domino
effect for the rest of the holiday season. With so many holiday events
revolving around food and cocktails, it's easy to add on the extra pounds
between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

But that doesn't have to be the rule. Remember, Thanksgiving
is one day. Done right, you won’t set yourself back too far!

A turkey-day feast isn't what typically causes the weight
gain; it's the entire Thanksgiving weekend that often packs on a few stubborn
pounds.

Yes, the scale is bound
to go up the next morning, but if you get right back on the wagon on Friday
morning, you can easily get back to your pre-Thanksgiving weight by the next
week-end.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Three years ago I developed very strong motivation that
helped me implement drastic changes in my eating habits.

In May 2010 my weight was 261 pounds. During annual physical, the doctor told me that the test showed something
in my heart. He told me that obesity was one of my risk factors and referred me
to see cardiologist. The cardiologist recommended heart “procedure”.

The idea of surgery frightened me. I was determined to do
anything humanly possible to lose weight. I gave up practically everything I
liked. I adopted a diet that consisted only of fresh non-starchy vegetables,
fresh low-sugar fruits, lean protein and a slice of whole grain bread. I took
Omega 3 (healthy fats) and multivitamin supplement daily. I drank unsweetened
hot tea three times a day and tried to drink a lot of water.

Changing my eating habits was not super easy and initially I
experienced some level of stress after I gave up all of the foods I liked. The
first few days were most challenging. I felt weak and had no energy, but I
didn’t feel hungry. Since my new way of eating provided rapid weight loss at
the start, I had the additional incentive to keep going. When I saw the numbers
on the scale going down every single day, I got excited and wanted to stick
with my method. Soon cravings for junk food disappeared and I honestly could
say that I liked and enjoyed healthy foods I eat.

During my weight loss process I tried to learn as much as
possible about losing weight, different diets, and challenges faced while
attempting to lose weight. I read more than many books, hundreds of articles
and reports, and extensively researched the weight loss related issues on
Internet. I learned a lot about physiology, nutrition, health and exercise
science, and perhaps I know more about losing weight than an average person. I
know what my body needs for successful weight loss and good health, and I use
this knowledge to continue to be successful.

I found out that by eating the new, healthy way I didn’t have
to endure hunger to lose weight. I believe that feeling full and satisfied
while eating nutritious foods was a critical part of my eating plan. The food
choices I made helped me feel full with fewer calories and assured that I didn’t
feel hungry.

Also learned that weight loss can be achieved without
exercise. Shortly after I started losing weight I injured my knee and had
surgery. Exercise was out of question, but I continued with eating habits
changes that I implemented. The scale continued to show lower numbers at the
unchanged rate. I could not exercise for 12 months, but kept losing weight.

I researched this issue and found out that what was
happening to me was nothing unusual. Being active and exercise is great for our
health but in terms of pounds, exercise contributes a little towards weight loss.
Food is the component that largely determines whether we are gaining or losing
weight, and the key to losing weight is focusing on eating of the foods that
promote weight loss.

After I lost 91 pounds I determined to make this a lifestyle
and not to return to my old ways. Since a healthy lifestyle is a
process, I knew that to keep the weight off my new behaviors
needed to continue.

Once I reached my
goal weight, I was determined to make this a lifestyle and not to return to my
old ways. I knew that to keep the weight off my new behaviors needed to
continue. I have my weak moments, too. I allow
myself to eat differently during joyful situations like holidays, birthdays and
other celebrations - beautiful moments themselves, but at the same time, create
opportunities to deviate from my healthy behaviors and eating habits. These are
choice based behaviors and I believe I could have made different choices had I
wanted to.Unfortunately I also have
moments when I am unable to control my choices. I sometimes experience binge
eating.I still frequently forget about
drinking enough water.

Today I am no longer overweight and I maintain the weight of
170lb. I’m so positive about almost all aspects of my life and I became an
advocate for idea that it is possible to lose weight, no matter what your life,
your current situation looks like. If you can change what you eat and how you
eat it, you will be able to lose weight.

I am someone just like you. I am no different than you when
it comes to losing weight. I don’t have more willpower than you do. I don’t
lose weight more easily than you do. Since I lost a significant amount of
weight and kept it off, I believe I am in the position to be able to offer hope
to others.

No single approach, formula, or plan for weight loss can
work perfectly for every person. Losing weight is about finding what
works for you and choices that make you feel good both physically and
emotionally that you can stick with. When you know what works,
then it is just a matter of commitment on following through each week on your
best actions, adopting it to your unique circumstances and lifestyle until they
become second nature.

To set yourself up for success you need to decide what is
more important to you. When you are convinced that losing weight is more
important than what you are giving up, then you are ready for action and you
will likely succeed.

Friday, November 15, 2013

I found the precise formula that takes care of my weight
in the best way possible for me. My approach is based on healthy foods and a few
simple strategies.

The key is consistency. Almost every day I eat well, in a
way that allows me to maintain a healthy weight. And when I fail to make proper
nutrition choices, I just get back on my eating program the next day.

I am
following what can be called 90/10 rule of weight management. I maintain
healthy eating habits and activity at least 90 percent the time.

I mentioned 90/10 or when I travel it’s probably 80/20, because I lost weight already, and eating real food and staying away from processed food is a part of my lifestyle since my transformation. However, if you want to achieve weight loss, and especially, if you want to lose weight fast, the closer to 100 percent you get the better your chances of losing weight.Achieving weight loss does not require magic formula or
secret ingredients. Your body knows how to lose weight. It’s simply focusing on
what works versus what doesn’t work. It’s
a matter of trying out approaches, observing your body’s responses, and
monitoring how you feel until you find an approach that works.

Than you tweak it so it that it fits you. When you know
what works, then it’s your choice and commitment on following through each week
on your best actions, until they become second nature.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

5 years ago,
I hit rock bottom.I was fat, miserable,
depressed, and sick. I just didn’t care about myself.Today, I'm still fat but I'm not miserable,
depressed or sick any more.I finally
broke free of the vicious cycle I was in.

3 years ago,
I started to teach myself how to eat.Seriously.I thought I would be
even happier if I was skinny. I learned about counting calories and
understanding that you must expend more calories than you take in to lose
weight.I found there are two ways to
reduce your calorie intake.

Artificially,
by eating reduced calorie processed foods or by eating naturally low calorie
foods such as fruits and veggies.Not
wanting to give up the things I love, I started out with reduced calorie
versions of all those yummy things.They
turned out not so yummy.Did I lose some
weight?Yup.But then I discovered I got more bang for my
buck eating naturally low calorie foods.Even better, I discovered that I felt better, both mentally and
physically, when I ate unprocessed foods.

Five years
later, it’s 2013.I feel pretty darn
good.Many of my previous health
problems are non-existent.Have I lost
weight? About 55 pounds and counting.But on this journey, I discovered a few things I wasn’t expecting…

•Skinny does
not equal healthy.

•Healthy food
does not equal low fat, low calorie

•There are
lots of weird, scary things in processed food

•When I feel
good, I actually enjoy physical activity

•My taste
buds are trainable

•When I feel
good about myself I don’t care what other people think about me

I still
struggle every day.2013 has been
particularly difficult for me as I try to deal with some digestive issues since
getting a stomach virus over 6 months ago.I haven't lost any weight. There are points where I want to give up and
go back to my old ways.Trying to be as
healthy as possible can be exhausting at times.Sometimes I wish I could hit up the closest fast food restaurant rather than
spending an hour in the kitchen cooking a meal. However, I know I can't
quit.Quitting means returning to the
life I left behind.Quitting means
getting sick again. Quitting means being miserable.I won't go back.

There are so
many ups and downs when you take the first steps to getting healthy.In the end, the ups are WAY better than the
downs.I may take a few steps backwards
every once in a while but I will always make sure I have more steps forward in
this journey.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Weight is an
issue for almost everyone. If you are reading this blog, you are probably
overweight. And most likely you have already tried to do something about. If
you still trying, because you haven’t had much success I want to tell you that being
in control of your foods choices is the “secret” to weight loss.

It is always
your choice. You can chose the type of foods you eat. And you can make some
better choices. Achieving weight loss does not require magic formulas or specially
purchased ingredients. It is focusing on what works versus what does not work.

If you are
serious about wanting to lose weight, then it is absolutely essential that you
provide your body with the best fuel possible. Your body knows how to lose
weight; it is just a matter of trying out approaches, observing your body’s responses,
and monitoring how you feel.

When you know what
works, then it is just a matter of commitment on following through each week on
your best actions, until they become second nature.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

I know that negative thoughts are part of our life no
matter whether we want it or not. Life is a little bit more complicated than
just being happy and positive. Negative thoughts are normal — everyone has them,
but, left unchecked, your mind may pull you into a self-amplified process.

The danger with negative thoughts is that the more you
have them, the more they stick around. Our negative thinking leads to inaction,
which leads to no results, which confirms and reinforces the negative thinking.

You can redirect the energy you spend on negative
thoughts into planning and setting goals for yourself. Rather than telling
yourself “I can never give up the foods I love” turn those thoughts into something
positive instead. Think about how losing weight will contribute towards
something you desire or help you experience life better. Instead of thinking, “I
don’t have the discipline or the willpower” or “I tried that and it hasn’t
worked”, redirect that energy into planning something positive and put that
energy into taking action. When you take daily action, you’ll find that things
more often go your way.

It can also be helpful to remember that thoughts are
different than facts. Just because you have a thought about something doesn’t
mean it is automatically true.

This may sound like a small step, but it opens up big
possibilities. It introduces the potential for success, which can help keep us
motivated to continue trying. In the future all things are possible. Where is
it written that this is impossible? Others have made these changes. Why can’t
we? Sure it will take work, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be able to
eventually.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

There are
countless factors in play when it comes to how we eat. Making a change to diet
or lifestyle can be daunting; so much so, in fact, that most of us elect to
remain inactive, opting for ease and familiarity rather than challenge or
change.

For many, the
desire to make a change is rooted in “what things will be like” on the other
side. Inaction is the paralyzing fear that the sacrifice, the work, the effort
won’t be worth it. That we will fail, or worse, miss out on something good —
and that won’t be worth it either.

If these
worries are holding you back, consider instead the impact of making this change
across our entire life. What will making this change mean for you? What will
you gain from it?

Do you want
to lose 10 pounds? Do you want more energy? Do you want to prevent disease? Do
you want to be able to run up the stairs or pick up your kids or finally rid
yourself of digestive upset? You can. You just need that ONE CLEAR REASON in
mind to push you forward. What will that change mean for you? What will it add
to your life? Moments of envy, frustration, doubt, or desire will be far more
bearable when we have a big-picture motivator to keep us moving in the
direction we intend.

In my
practice, I work a great deal with people looking to overcome emotional eating
and rebuild their relationship with food. Changing food habits means we need to
get in touch with why we eat the way we do. This means considering why we
associate certain foods with certain situations, looking at the connection
between food and mood, and tuning into the signals our bodies provide. It can
be overwhelming. There is a lot of information there, both physically and
emotionally. When we start to look closely at our choices – really give
ourselves space to think about why we make the ones we do – we begin to find
opportunities hidden in our patterns that will permit us to break through. The
key is taking a step off the ledge, acknowledging that we wish to make a
change, and choosing to actively do so.

Keeping that
goal in the forefront provides constant motivation and a rubric against which
we can assess our choices: is this in line with where I want to go and who I
want to be? Will this choice guide me closer to that goal? Know that you can
make any change you want to, and that your reasons for doing so are valid,
strong, and impactful.

If you’re
looking for a clear place to start, these five ideas may help to stay motivated
when it comes to making changes to your food patterns:

- identify
your trigger foods: these are the things you can’t turn down and the ones that
usually leave you feeling less than great. Start to make the connection between
mind, body, and food.

- find
substitutions you enjoy: the more good stuff there is in your diet – and your
life in general – the less room there is for the more undesirable stuff. ‘Crowd
out’ foods that don’t fuel your body with a variety of ones that do (and ones
you enjoy).

- keep your
big picture goal in mind: post it somewhere you will see it often (perhaps the
wallpaper on your smartphone)

- don’t
deprive yourself: when you choose to partake in a treat, allow yourself to
enjoy it fully.

Guilt only
exacerbates feelings of deprivation – and that’s not what we’re after!
Flexibility and balance will serve you far more effectively.

- surround
yourself with people and situations that support you: again, ‘crowd out’
negativity with as much positive energy as you can find. How do these
interactions nourish you in ways food cannot?

- be open to
new things: embrace adventure and exploration with your food.

- remember
that there is not one diet that works for everyone: be open to tapping into
your body’s intuition. It will tell you what it needs.

Every action
begins with two decisions: the decision to act, and the decision to act in a
specific way. Set that big-picture intention, keep it in mind, and let it guide
the decisions you make. Then let things unfold as they will and revel in how
great you feel for doing it.

Guest post provided by Amy
Height.

Amy is a Holistic Health Coach and
founder of From the Ground Up Wellness. She works with individuals and families
looking to reestablish their relationship with food and build a strong
foundation of lasting, healthy habits. She specializes in plant-based
nutrition, weight loss, nutrition for children and young families, and managing
food intolerances.

A graduate of the Institute for
Integrative Nutrition, Amy combines a breadth of nutritional training – and the
concept of ‘food as fuel’ - with her own weight loss and fitness journey to
provide motivation and resources to empower personal transformation.

She is certified by the American
Association for Drugless Practitioners.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Whole apples are convenient snack. The fruit is low in
calories. A medium-size apple has only 80 calories. Apples keep you hydrated:
84 percent of an apple’s content is water. This means apples not only satisfy
your hunger but can satisfy your thirst as well.

Apples have long been associated with a healthful diet. Fresh
apples are high in fiber and immune-boosting Vitamin C. Vitamin C is important
for the growth and repair of all body tissues. Vitamin C also helps to heal
cuts and wounds and keeps teeth and gums healthy.

When I eat apples, I keep the skin on. Eating whole apples with the skin is the most nutritious way
to enjoy the fruit. A significant amount of the nutrients and beneficial
compounds in apples are located just under the peel. Apples are loaded
with the powerful antioxidant, but is found predominantly in the skin. It has anti-inflammatory
and heart-protecting qualities, and may reduce the growth and spread of cancer
cells. Google “quercetin” to find out more. In addition, most of the fiber in
apples comes from the skin and the pulp. When you remove the skin, you remove
about half the fiber.

Apples are good for you.
Numerous studies confirmed that apples have disease-fighting nutrients. Make eating
apples part of your routine. Be cool and
bring apples to the office. After a few days you are likely to notice that you’re
not the only one.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

If you are like
most human beings, you may be stuck in one or more areas of your life or career
and want to change. Perhaps to lose weight, eat healthy, become a better
parent, or a better, more effective leader? In one word - a better you.Achieving your change
can be difficult, but not impossible. It is so often that initial first step
that is so hard to make. We think of a millions reasons not to take it and then
look back on a life filled with missed opportunities to grow, learn and become
a better person.It is critical
to know what truly motivates you to change. Keeping in your mind a concrete
reason will have a tremendous impact as you proceed with your efforts. Focus on
the reasons why you want to change.

Motivate
yourself daily because every day we make dozens of small choices that determine
whether we will succeed. Like everything in life, you will need to commit to
it, work hard and be consistent.

It is easier to
stay motivated and stick to your intention to change when you see your
progress. So, make a small change if that is what is possible. From that small
change and success you will gain confidence and you can build upon that to make
more and perhaps even bigger changes.

There is always
room for improvement. Learn from both your successes and your failures, and
then adjust. Eventually you will discover the right combination of tactics to
help you achieve your desired change. It isn’t too late for you to improve
something in your life that you really want to change. No matter what age you
are at.

When it comes to
our future success, there are two ways to look at life. We can feel powerless.
We believe life just happens to us. It is out of our hands, so we sit back,
play the role of the victim and react to everything. Or, we can feel powerful.
We believe our choices make a difference in what happens to us. We chose to act
rather than react to people and situations. Which one describes you?

Some things in
life we can change; some things we can't. Losing weight, eating healthy, trying
to become a better parent, are definitely goals that are within our reach. Make
an effort to become a better you.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Last week I travelled
and worked away from home. This trip offered me an opportunity to meet and work
with some truly amazing people. For several days I enjoyed working with enthusiastic
people who are passionate about their work. Their positive attitude and their
enthusiasm for what they do was contagious and contributed towards successful completion
of the project my team was working on. Working away
from home made eating healthy challenging for me. Limited time, not knowing
where to buy healthy food, and eating between meetings prompted me to make
hasty, unhealthy food decisions.

While healthy
eating can be challenging when we are away from home, we can make efforts to
make it less unhealthy. Here is what I did.

My hotel
offered free breakfast, and the menu listed typical American breakfast food. I
asked for apples and tomatoes, and they brought fruits and veggies that I
requested. That helped me add some healthy elements to my breakfasts there. Another
positive example was that the day after I asked at the front desk, where I
could buy apples (my favorite snacks), free apples appeared on the table near
the front desk.

Healthy food
options were very limited in the area where I was during lunch and dinner times
as well, and my choices were not perfect. I ended up with buying food for lunch
in three different locations and creating my own menus.

I was not the
only one in my group that experienced the lack of healthy food choices
challenge. One of my coworkers had to come back to the hotel and take some
medicine to recover from stomach pain caused by unhealthy food she ate.

On the
positive note I was happy that there were plenty of places that offered my
favored coffee. I was in Seattle.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Hunger is the biggest pothole on the road of successful
weight loss. The importance of no hunger in your weight loss strategy cannot be
overstated. Allowing yourself to get to the point of feeling hungry will not
help you lose weight. It is hard not to eat when you get hungry. It goes
against human nature.

When you get hungry, you tend to want to eat more. The
feeling of an empty stomach is very difficult, if not impossible, to tolerate
and at some point you give in. Hunger is the most significant problem with
weight loss and a diet that results in hunger will never be successful.Snacking on healthy foods every few hours helps you avoid hunger and the associated overeating. Apples work perfectly for me.Diet programs that encourage you to eat smaller portions
of the same foods you have been eating, rather than shift your eating entirely
to a new regimen will not be successful, either. Reducing your portions to the
point that you feel hungry at the end of a meal will not work. It is hard to
force yourself to eat less.

But it's possible to choose what you eat. The answer to weight
loss challenge lies in shifting your attention to the types of food you should
be eating, rather than just counting calories or eating smaller portions of the
foods you have been eating.

I really think anyone can lose weight without feeling
hungry. You just have to eat the right foods. Automate your meal choices to create routines that make it easy to eat the right food.

I changed the types of food I ate
and I lost weight. It took a bit of focus in the beginning to do it, but after a
while, it became a natural way of eating.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

You’ve probably heard that one 12-ounce soda has about 150
calories and 10 teaspoons of sugar. But did you know that juice can have even
more sugar than soda?

Drinking sugared soda, fruit drinks, and juice can add up
quickly. It’s easy to consume several hundred calories a day without realizing
it. Research suggests that people who drink soda or other sugary beverages on a
regular basis are more likely to gain weight than those who don’t, and that
switching from these to water or unsweetened drinks can reduce weight.

Without a doubt, drinking water is one of the best ways to
stay hydrated and manage your weight. It’s thirst quenching and calorie free.
So, drink up! And to determine your individual fluid requirement, divide your
body weight in half – that’s approximately how many ounces you need daily. For
example, a person who weighs 180 pounds needs about 90 ounces of fluid per day. Please share in the comment section below. Your ideas could
be very helpful to other readers.

Guest post provided by Lorraine Matthews-Antosiewicz, MS RD.

Lorraine is a food and nutrition expert specializing in weight management and
digestive health. She is committed to
empowering people through education, support, and inspiration to make real
changes that lead to optimal health and lasting weight loss. Take her Free
Self-Assessment and learn how you can lose 20 lb. – or more. Jump Start your
weight loss today! http://njnutritionist.com/freeassessment

Friday, July 26, 2013

Many “experts” want you to believe that slow, gradual weight loss is easier to sustain than large, rapid weight loss.
What worked for me is opposite. I needed a solution that would provide the fewest calories
possible while still providing all of the essential nutrients required by the
body: protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

I started to lose weight fast and fast results kept me motivated. I got excited and wanted to stick with my method. I had the incentive to keep going because I saw the numbers on the scale going down every single day.Clinical trials have found that people who jump-start their diets by dropping a lot of weight in the beginning had the best results in long-term studies.

Monday, July 8, 2013

I drink hot tea several times a day. No sugar, no milk, just plain, hot tea. Hot tea is very beneficial for losing
weight. It can give you a real boost. Some hot teas actually reduce sugar and
fat absorption while speeding up the digestive process. Each time you sip hot
tea, you get a huge infusion of powerful compounds called antioxidants which
are believed to fight off heart attacks and cancer.

Drinking iced tea is not the same.
A cup of hot tea contains more of antioxidants than iced tea. Chilling tea reduce the
antioxidants. Iced tea drinks tend to have less actual tea and more other
ingredients, such as flavorings which have no nutritional value in them.
Regular consumption of hot tea is associated with
decreased weight whereas regular consumption of iced tea is not. Several cups of freshly brewed hot tea (minus the sugar) per day is the healthiest option.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Over the course of the past two years, I've learned a
lot about myself and the strategies that are important for me to use to
maintain my new weight.

Maintenance is not a destination. To me it's a continuation of a process of
refinement of the habits that I developed to lose weight. Once I reached my
goal weight, I was determined to make this a lifestyle and not to return to my
old ways. I knew that to keep the weight off my new behaviors needed to
continue.

Long-term maintenance of behaviors is something we can all achieve when we
focus on the reasons that forced us to lose weight. For me focusing on my
health was the catalyst that changed my whole perspective and allowed me to
take a different look at my life.

I better understand now that my experiences both good and painful are here to
help me grow and evolve. I continue to take personal responsibility for the
decisions I make throughout my day. Sure they’re not always the best, but I've
learned that it's okay not to be perfect.

Tracking was a very important weight loss tool for me and one that I've
continued in maintenance. I continue to weigh myself daily.

Reportedly only 5% of dieters are able to lose weight and keep it off. Who
knows the exact number, but it's a very small percentage. I’m sure, there are
many more that lose weight initially, but keeping it off is a whole other
story.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

You can lose weight - but it's up to you to take the simple
daily actions that will make losing weight a habit. You, and you alone, are
responsible for what you eat. Quit eating unhealthy, fattening foods cold turkey
or wean yourself off. Both work and are completely valid.

Choose what works
better for you and start your own healthy habits today. Start making these
changes now - this very moment. There is never a “best moment” to start losing
weight. The best time is now.

Most people will just keep thinking about making changes.
Thinking about change and talking about change don't make a difference. You
need to get to the execution phrase. Action is what produces change.
Procrastination only leads to more excuses. If you take the first step today,
you will have done the hardest thing that you will need to do - overcome
inertia. Start losing weight now. You can do it.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Food is
the component that largely determines whether we are gaining or losing weight.
The key to losing weight is focusing on eating of the foods that promote weight
loss. Once you know the nutritional differences between processed and whole
foods, you have a choice.

Every
journey begins with a single step, but you will never finish if you don’t
start. Once you make the first step everything else becomes easier; but it is
important to make that step otherwise you cannot expect to finish something you
did not start.

Make the
first step today and start making these changes now. Stop waiting for the right
time to start losing weight; it never comes. There is no reason you can't begin
your weight loss journey right here, right now. No more excuses! Don't wait for
the "right time". Do it now. Take advantage of the motivation you're
feeling now and start making these changes now.

I
learned that one should not wait to for a best movement to start losing weight.
My experience is that there is never a “best moment” to start losing weight.
Most people will just keep thinking about making changes. Thinking about change
and talking about change doesn't make a difference. You need to get to the execution
phrase. Action is what produces change. The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

You must know that losing weight is possible! Whenever you feel
that it isn’t possible remind yourself that must lose weight because you want
to live a happier and more fulfilling life.

It’s time to take control and accept responsibility for
yourself, because you want to do more with your life than what you are
currently doing.

The smartest people are lifelong students. Always learning
from those around them, never believing that they know enough. Learn what you
can actually do to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Motivate yourself to find your
own path. It’s about finding what works for you and choices that make you feel
good both physically and emotionally that you can stick with. Keep learning what
works for others and adopt what works for you.

Follow these principles and amazing things will happen. You have the power to
change your life in many ways that you may not even realize. This is the
beginning of the next phase of your life.

While weight loss can be challenging, it is achievable and many people are
successful. I lost 91 pounds and you can do it, too.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Heart disease is the number one killer in the world, affecting more than six million people each year. heart disease has developed into a lethal epidemic and the problem is set to continue since many people have unhealthy lifestyles. Expert agree that eating properly is one of the best ways to combat this.

Yet heart disease is potentially avoidable and preventable . If you want to beat heart disease, rethinking your lifestyle can help reduce many of the risk factors of heart disease such high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and being overweight.

If you already have heart disease, it's never too late to reevaluate your lifestyle, and there is overwhelming evidence that changing your eating habits can save your life.

I changed what I eat and it worked for me. For two years I have been eating healthy and I lost weight, lowered my cholesterol, and lowered blood pressure. I lowered blood pressure so much that I was able to discontinue blood pressure medication entirely.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Hunger is the most significant problem with weight loss and
a diet that results in hunger will never be successful. It is hard not to eat
when you get hungry. It goes against human nature and you can only stand being
hungry for so long.

The feeling of an empty stomach is very difficult, if not
impossible, to tolerate and at some point you give in. When you get very hungry,
you tend to want to eat more.

Feeling hungry the hardest part of losing weight. If your
weight loss strategy involves going hungry, it is unsustainable.

You don’t have to go hungry in order to lose weight.In order to feel full, you need to fill your
stomach.The key is in knowing which
foods to fill it with.

Most people are satisfied by the amount (i.e. volume) of
food they eat rather than the calories in said food.

I consume a low number of
calories, but get all the fullness and satisfaction. Eating large amount of the
right food to fill up my stomach and avoid feeling of hunger is my key to
success.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Eating
healthy while eating out is a big challenge for me. Last night I at the
restaurant where people were eating steaks or hamburgers. It was difficult, but
I was strong and ordered grilled chicken salad with balsamic dressing. The
waiter didn’t even try to hide his reaction, after I requested no cheese and no
croutons in the salad, but it didn’t matter to me.

I was trying to be consistent
with healthy choices and managed to do so last night, but it is difficult. When
you're trying to lose weight, dining out too often can make it difficult to
stay on track. Restaurant meals are often full of empty calories that can
quickly steer a weight loss plan off course. Here is the picture of my success.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Over the course of the
past two years, I've learned a lot about myself and the strategies that are
important for me to use to maintain my new weight.

Maintenance is not a
destination. To me it's a continuation of a process of refinement of the habits
that I developed to lose weight. Once I reached my goal weight, I was
determined to make this a lifestyle and not to return to my old ways. I knew that
to keep the weight off my new behaviors needed to continue.

Long-term maintenance of
behaviors is something we can all achieve when we focus the reasons that forced
us to lose weight. For me focusing on my health was the catalyst that changed
my whole perspective and allowed me to take a different look at my life.

I better understand now
that my experiences both good and painful are here to help me grow and evolve. I
continue to take personal responsibility for the decisions I make throughout my
day.Sure they’re not always the best
but I've learned that it's okay not to be perfect.

Tracking was a very
important weight loss tool for me and one that I've continued in maintenance. I
continue to weigh myself daily.

Why is it that only 5% of dieters are able to lose weight and keep it off? Who knows the exact number, but it's a very small percentage. I’m sure, there are many more that lose weight initially, but keeping it off is a whole other story.